Effective land use representation requires both a thorough knowledge of the relevant legal, intergovernmental, and political environments, as well as a practical, results-oriented approach. K&L Gates’ lawyers help clients navigate the dynamic regulatory environment with regard to land use, planning, and zoning issues related to the construction, financing, acquisition, disposition, and management of real estate projects.

Our lawyers are knowledgeable and often active in business and local governmental affairs and have the breadth and depth of experience that enables them to coordinate each project in a manner best-suited to the client’s unique needs. We are accustomed to representing clients who have substantial experience in the land use arena, as well as those facing land use challenges for the first time. In addition, our lawyers regularly collaborate with colleagues in our Real Estate Investment, Development, and Finance practice to address clients' related needs in investment/development, regeneration, leasing, acquisitions, and many other transactions.

Many of our lawyers are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professionals. LEED is an internationally recognized certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to promote design and construction practices that will reduce the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improve occupant health and well-being.

K&L Gates takes pride in the ability of its lawyers to grasp and quickly adapt to the dynamic regulatory changes affecting the use and development of real estate, whether it is a complex coastal development, a large mixed-use community, the adaptive reuse of an urban manufacturing facility, a greenfield development with inadequate public infrastructure, or a small project that requires a special use permit. Our land use, planning, and zoning lawyers are trained to employ and interact seamlessly with lawyers in other practice disciplines. This integrated approach results in an efficient and effective delivery of legal services across a wide range of legal issues, including environmental and construction issues, financing, acquisition, disposition, and management of real estate projects.

We regularly represent a vast array of private and public clients, including:

Represented a city in accomplishing and defending annexation of several unincorporated areas and then obtaining approval of this annexation by the Department of Justice under the Voting Rights Act.

Drafting planning agreements on behalf of a London borough and advising on planning, highways, compulsory purchase, and environmental aspects of proposed urban regeneration projects.

Acting for a major UK fund on planning issues across its Central London Offices and Retail Warehouse funds.

Advising a local council in the negotiation, preparation, and implementation of a major infrastructure agreement taking a greenfield site to a master planned city for over 100,000 residents with associated commercial, retail, industrial, and community facilities in Queensland, Australia. The agreement was the first of its type and involves infrastructure expenditure of over AUD3 billion over an anticipated project life of 45 years.

Represented client in challenging a decision by the North Carolina Division of Water Quality regarding the application of Neuse River basin buffers to the client’s properties.

Represented owners and developers in the creation of tax increment finance reinvestment zones and public improvement districts to finance public infrastructure and other public improvements.

Undertaking planning due diligence on behalf of an Australian property group as part of the acquisition process for major property assets including providing advice in respect of relevant planning instruments and development consents, building compliance and contamination risks

Coordinated due diligence on behalf of a private real estate investment fund of a $250 million acquisition of industrial, warehouse, and offices comprising 4.4 million square feet of buildings together with 42 acres of undeveloped property.

Providing a large Queensland, Australia port authority with strategic advice about planning, environment, and infrastructure matters in connection with the proposed redevelopment of approximately 50 hectares of formerly industrial land for high and medium density residential and associated mixed uses.